It’s been less than 14 months since the Pittsburgh Steelers faced Justin Herbert.
But it’s been a lot longer than that since the Steelers had to deal with the real Herbert.
“I feel like we caught a flyer a year ago,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Herbert, the Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback. “He was limited from a mobility perspective when we played him (in September 2024). I thought it impacted how the game unfolded.”
It sure did — the Steelers won 20-10 — and the Steelers know not to count on such luck as they get ready for Sunday’s game in Los Angeles against Herbert at 100%.
Whereas this version of Herbert is second in the NFL in touchdown passes (18) and passing yards (2,390) through nine games of the 2025 season, early in 2024 Herbert was not himself. An ankle injury limited his practice time leading up to a Week 3 game in Pittsburgh, one he did not finish after absorbing a sack in the third quarter.
“It allowed us to do some things schematically that you’re somewhat hesitant to do if he has full mobility,” Tomlin said. “It nailed him down in the pocket some and probably limited some of the things they choose to do schematically, like play-action pass and changes of the launch point, which is certainly a component of (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman’s attack. It was minimized some last year, and so as I watch tape this year, I’m cognizant of that.
“Herbert is extremely talented. He can kill you with his arm and certainly can kill you with his legs. He can kill you with both by play extension. He has a complete arsenal of people to throw to.”
During last week’s win against the Tennessee Titans, Herbert threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. During 50 of his 88 career starts, he has multiple TD passes, one of only five quarterbacks in NFL history to have that many over their first six seasons.
“He can make every throw,” Steelers defensive co-captain Cameron Heyward said. “He’s mobile. When you’re playing a guy like that, you can’t simply just play one or two coverages and just try to hold up. You’ve got to mix things up. And you’ve got to get him off his target quick because he’s got a lot of options: (wide receivers) Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey.”
Heyward didn’t mention rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II, who had out-produced all of those talented wide receivers over the Chargers’ past four games with 24 catches for 377 yards and two touchdowns.
Herbert also has averaged about 250 rushing yards per season and — just 10 games into this season — will set a career high in rushing yards with his next positive-yardage carry. He has 305 rushing yards in 2025 and 14 rushing touchdowns since entering the NFL as the No. 6 overall pick in 2020.
“Yeah,” Heyward said, “we’re going to have a challenge on our hands.”
